Eastpointe's new law banning leaving guns in cars draws huge social media response

In a move that sparked debate on social media, Eastpointe police Thursday announced a new local law banning storage of a firearm in an unlocked motor vehicle.

The police department posted the ordinance on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon and and by 8 p.m., about 500 people had commented.

Eastpointe police said the ordinance, which has been adopted by the City Council, was in response to an "inordinate" number of guns being stolen from unlocked cars or trucks. Its aim is to make gun owners "more responsible."

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"There is no reason to store a firearm in a vehicle that is not secured, especially overnight," police officials said in their Facebook post.

The department supports gun rights and gun safety, the post read. Eastpointe may be the first community in Michigan addressing this issue, police said.

"More than likely, your firearm will be used in other crimes such as murder, assault, robbery, and other violent acts," the department wrote.

Police added they wrote their first ticket under the new law Thursday and hoped that it is the last one they will issue. They noted people usually don't leave their cellphones behind, but often forget to bring their guns into their homes.

"Our goal is not to ticket anyone, but to help remind people that it would be in their best interest to be more responsible," police wrote.

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Numerous people responded to the post. Many said local governments are prohibited from enacting firearm ordinances more prohibitive than state or federal law.

Michigan Gun Owners wrote: "If you try to to enforce this preempted ordinance, you're going to lose in court."

Others were supportive of the department's efforts and thanked them online.

Eastpointe resident Heather Dickenson wrote: "I do have a CPL. My firearms enter and exit my vehicle with me. Whether its a law or not.. what if a child found it? Or a teen broke in and stole it.. anyone for that matter.. no thanks i will never have that on my conscience."

One highly publicized example of people leaving weapons in their car occurred in the spring of 2018 when Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel reported his 40-caliber semi-automatic Glock was stolen from his locked county-owned vehicle parked in the driveway of his Macomb Township home.

Hackel is a former county sheriff.

Violators of the Eastpointe ordinance face a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.